16 Dead, 65 Injured in 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake in Southwest China
A powerful earthquake in southwest China has killed 16 people and injured 65, with thousands evacuated.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Beijing, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- China announced on Friday that 16 people were killed and 65 others injured in a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck the town of Pacheng in Nanchuan City, Chongqing Municipality, in the southwest of the country. The Xinhua News Agency reported that 12,489 people were evacuated following the quake, which occurred at 22:33 Beijing time yesterday. It noted that search and rescue operations, sheltering of those affected, and comprehensive damage assessments are ongoing. The agency added that China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management have allocated 80 million yuan (approximately $12 million) to support relief efforts, dispatch emergency aid, facilitate reconstruction, and repair damaged infrastructure. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed that all possible efforts be made to search for survivors, treat the injured, and minimize human and material losses to the greatest extent possible. (End) S.L.Q. / T.M.A.
